Over the river and through the woods……It doesn’t matter whose house you are going to, your dog wants to come too!  With summer travel and ‘Take your dog to work day’ this month, I thought I should share some travel tips to make your errands or holiday more fun for 2 and 4 legged family members.

1. First Foray or Vacation Veteran?   Get your pet used to all types of travel with several small trips in and around town before you attempt a 3-day cross country jaunt.  Pets react in different ways and knowing your pets’ travel preferences will save a lot of grief for all of you when you are on a schedule.

2. It should go without saying, but I feel I must, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE CAR ALONE for more than 10 minutes!   Hot or cold, your pet is not accustomed to temperature extremes, and adding that to the stress of travel and separation while you “Just run in for a minute” is often too much for our furry companions.

3. Kennel or buckle your family members!  Pets are helpless in an accident.  Having them in a kennel or buckled with a special harness into the seat belt (any Pet Supplies “Plus” has them) will keep an accident from turning into a tragedy.

4. Identification Please!  Make sure to keep tags on all of your pets, but this becomes even more important when traveling!  Under stress, the most obedient pet can slip out of a kennel or car door and run out into unfamiliar territory.  Also, it’s a good idea to keep copies of their vet records along for emergencies!

5. Make sure you maintain regular flea/tick and heartworm preventative.  I have found that parasite populations change dramatically in different areas and you don’t want to bring home extra pests along with your dirty laundry!

Tags: travel tips | vacation

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Although I really like dogs, and most animals that come readily to mind, I am definitely what I would call a cat person. I think it may be genetic—my mother has ten cats, some indoors and some out. Growing up, we always had at least one cat, and generally it was more like three to five. My favorite thing in the world when I was a little girl was the first time my mother (who bred Manx cats for a few years) would let me touch a litter of new kittens. They were so soft and sweet with their little eyes still closed, mewing in my hand and sniffing my fingers.

Now that I’m grown up and working at a pet store, I have fun with all the dogs that come into the store that I get to play with. Two of my favorite customers, though, are the couple who bring their gorgeous Bengal cats in to see me—one of whom rides on “Daddy’s” shoulders! We also get the occasional person who has found an abandoned kitten and wants to bottle-feed her. I love helping my “cat people” with all their questions and concerns, as well as sharing photos and stories with them. I feel more of a connection with other cat lovers than most people I meet, and I feel good about myself when I get to do or say something that ends up making a cat’s life healthier or happier.

I respect cats a little more than dogs. Dogs may be loyal and useful, but they can’t curl up beside me in bed when I’ve had a bad day and purr until I feel better. I’m also not at all interested in a pet that needs me to get up at six in the morning to take it out to pee. No, the litter box isn’t fun, but at least I can deal with it on my own schedule. Being rather lazy in my off time, I enjoy getting to sleep late with my kitties and then not having to worry about taking them out or amusing them—a wadded up paper towel can keep them all occupied for hours.

I guess it’s a mixture of nature and nurture, coupled with the fact that I want a more independent pet that makes me a “cat person”. Whatever the reason, I’m happy to admit that one day I’ll be that ladyon my street with the porch full of food bowls and ten cats in the house. Hey, it runs in the family!

-Kristin B; CPNA Pelham, AL

Tags: Cats

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I am a dog and not a cat person because of the loyalty that dogs show their owners. Lola comes when I call her, and she does things I ask her to do (such as wearing her Alabama jersey during games). Cats seem to be more independent and less concerned with their owners, until they want food. Also, dogs always want to protect their owner, like when someone comes to the door that they don’t know, they bark. Cats cannot be used for home protection. Another thing about having a dog instead of a cat is that you can do more things with them, like teach them tricks and take them with you on car trips or vacations—for instance, yesterday when I went to the river, I took Lola and she had a really good time. If she had been a cat, she would have just been sitting in the house.

-Chris A; CPNA Pelham, AL

Tags: dog

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As a CPNA (Certified Pet Nutrition Advisor) and pet professional for 12 years, I am amazed with the amount of misinformation that caring pet parents receive! I have decided to debunk 4 of those myths.

Whatever else you do…

1. Don’t assume that because a dog is wagging his tail, that he will not bite you! A wagging tail can be a sign of happiness, but needs to be taken in context with other body language and behavior. People laugh for various reasons, out of anxiety, fear, or even pain. Same goes with the dogs’ tail. Always use caution when approaching a dog you are not familiar with and teach children to do the same.

2. This ties in to… Cat’s purr because they are happy. Many experts agree purring is more of an expression of emotion, than the exact emotion of happiness. Cats have been known to purr when in pain, while giving birth, even while dying. I even had a cat that would always purr just before he would try to bite me (one of his favorite games). Once again, look for body language and situational clues to determine your pet’s true communication.

3. Spaying and neutering your pet makes them fat. Not necessarily!!!!! Although there is a legitimate decreases in caloric needs (as much as 25%), there are other things that need to be considered in determining a pet’s daily calorie consumption needs. Activity level being the greatest, but current and ideal weight will also need to be part of the equation! Stop by a Pet Supplies Plus store and ask to speak to a CPNA (Certified Pet Nutrition Advisor), they can do a body condition score as well as ‘do the math’ to determine the correct calorie range for your individual pet. And remember, no 2 pets are identical in their metabolism or nutritional needs.

4. A dog that ‘scoots’ his rear along the ground has worms. He might, or he might not. A dirty hind end, full anal sacs and itchy behinds (usually from fleas or allergies) are more often the culprit(s).

I hope you share this info with friends and help do all we can to debunk these myths from the pet community. Stay tuned for more myth-busting in the future!

-Kevin A, CPNA Birmingham

Tags: experts | health | dog | tips

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Ever wonder why you relate better to cats versus dogs, or vice versa? Studies have shown that owners of cats tend to be more introverted and sensitive. They pursue quieter interests such as reading, watching movies and listening to music, while dog owners are extroverted and interested in adventure and the outdoors. However, research has not proven whether people choose pets that are like them, or that pets change over time to become more like their owners.

Traditionally, the dog person is thought of as being adventurous and active, while the cat person prefers peaceful relaxation at home. A dog person likely enjoys sports or being outside, or anywhere else that involves action and adventure. A cat person likely enjoys their adventure through books, movies, or music.

Many dogs are friendly, loyal, and active by nature, whereas cats tend to be more independent, mysterious, and calm. Dogs are often thought of as being kind, useful, and team players. Cats are often thought to be full of grace, intelligence, and cunning. Many people identify themselves as cat people or dog people according to which of these characteristics are more prominent in their personalities.

The typical dog person can be described as an extrovert. They are energized by social interaction. They usually have larger social circles and enjoy social activities. Dogs fit well with this personality, since they often are looking to play and spend time with their owners.

The typical cat person, on the other hand, can be described as an introvert. They are energized by being alone. They usually have a small, tight-knit group of friends. Cats fit well with this personality, since they are often independent but can also offer quiet companionship.

As veterinarian David Bessler of NYC Veterinary Specialists put it to CNN, "To love cats, you have to be able to love things for themselves; they have their own life, they aren't necessarily dependent on you. Your dog kind of lives for you." This agrees with 12-year-old Naveen Rajur, who says that to love dogs, you "always have to want to take care of the dog and always kind of be by its side."

Tags: Cats | dogs | answers

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I stated earlier that my 2 favorite training tools are treats and the ‘Sporn Halter’. I have already expounded on the wonders of the halter, so let me take a minute to talk about treats.

Yummy! Most dogs, however picky, can be tempted, coerced, and yes – trained with treats and various food rewards. Most handlers have their favorites, and so do most dogs. Some go for the tried and true dehydrated liver, some for fresh meats and hotdogs. I categorize my treats into 4 main categories. Each having its place a purpose.

Biscuits and dental treats – crunchy and sometimes messy. Depending on the brand, can be anywhere from really inexpensive (think Pet Supplies “Plus” bulk treats!) to really expensive, usually relating to the amount of meat vs. fillers. Dental treats rely on abrasion to help clean plaque off pets’ teeth. I don’t use these for training much, other than maybe an enticement into kennels in the early stages. Dogs often have to crunch on them for a while (if they are the right size) and while they are crunching, they are not as focused on me and the commands I am giving them.

Soft treats – these also come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. My favorites are the ones I can use a fingernail to make even smaller, for just a taste, while training. So as not to fill up the little dogs and keep them coming back for more. A good 15 minute training session could result in 50 or more ‘tastes’ and whole treats would be too many calories.

Healthy nutrition – in addition to soft treats, I also use dehydrated meat treats in training and day to day living. Pet Supplies “Plus” stocks several brands. They are a very nutritious option. Just as the name implies, they are JUST dehydrated meat. High in protein, relatively low in calories, small bites with LOTS of flavor. A little on the pricy side, but worth every bite. I would include ZIWI PEAK treats AND FOOD in this category, and personally use the little jerky pieces as treats quite often, and although a package seems a bit pricy, it goes a LONG way, even with a pack to train.

Pet Parent Friendly – these are treats that make me happy, although my dogs are equally happy to receive them. The bakery treats with the ‘frosting’ and decorations that someone spent more time on than I do my kid’s Christmas cookies. Brands vary – designs vary. Some have some nutritional value, some don’t. But they are ALL fun to buy, feed and give as pet gifts!

Please note, I don’t include rawhide, bones or various pieces/parts. Although considered treats by some, they are more of a ‘keep the pets occupied while I do X’ kind of item. Although that might be something else to talk about next time……..

Kimberly Lowe

Tags: experts | treats | training

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Being a Boxer owner all of my life, I have a lot experience in training and handling them. Boxers are one of the more highly energetic of many of your larger breeds. This along with the fact that they tend to want to be very playful can make it difficult when it comes to “training” time.

In my experience of training a boxer, I have found that a comfort chain helps in keeping their attention. These allow you to “grab” the dogs’ attention as they can easily be distracted. Treats, time and patience is the key when it comes to training. With these things you can usually get your pet to do just about anything.

The best method is to train each day, several times a day for short periods of time. Considering Boxers are very playful, I would sometimes reward mine with “play time” after a good training session. However, it should be understood that training involves everything from crate-training or potty training to tricks and discipline.The younger you can begin your training the best it is for your pet as well as you.

One interesting “trick” that most boxers naturally exhibit is “kidney beaning”. This is a dance that they do whenever they are excited. Basically they will turn themselves into a semi-circle and start turning in circles. This trick is one that adds character to a boxer.

Tony P. CPNA, Tuscaloosa

Tags: experts | training | tips | dog

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Having been without a dog for a year and a half now, I am falling behind the curve with regards to my pet training I am afraid.

In addition to that, my last two dogs have both been extremely smart and impressionable Australian Shepherds. Neither of the two has required much in the way of training, per se.

While they were both puppies, the only thing I was concerned with training them was to not relieve themselves indoors, to sit/stay and to play catch.

My techniques with all three were quite rudimentary at best. With the potty training, we’d go outside following every meal or right before bedtime. If there were accidents indoors, the punishment was corporate and cringe-worthy looking back. Rather than using something constructive such as “No-Go” or Simple Solution’s “Puppy Aid”, I rubbed their noses in their accident and hoped they learned their lessons. I am not sure if they did, but I certainly would have a hard time repeating that maneuver knowing the many less traumatic aids Pet Supplies “Plus” offers. Sit/stay was easy for both my puppies. All it took was some incentive-laden instruction. The “carrot” on the end of the stick for my dogs was always Beggin’ Strips, but there are many training treats lining the shelves at PSP. Catch was also fairly easy for my herding puppies, and the expense was minimal. A fifty-cent tennis ball did the trick with both. Balls, Frisbees and other accessories are widely available at our stores. Come in and let us help you discover what fits best with your and your pet’s personalities.

My training expertise is novice-level at best, but my people skills are top-notch!!! Together, I bet we could find something fun for any of your training needs.

Kevin O’Kelley, CPNA

Tags: answers | experts | education | training

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I have 2 hands-down favorite training tools: treats and the original Sporn Halter. I work my dogs on a pure reward system, and for MOST of my dogs, a treat is the best reward. My other favorite is the original Sporn Halter. Although they have many other products now, of which I am a fan, it is the original halter that I have used over and over again for 14 years. I was skeptical at first. I didn’t understand the mechanics, how to get it on my dog, how it worked, or why. But using was believing. A friend (who is a dog trainer) showed me how to put the halter on and how to use it for the first time. It is a very humane walking device and will not hurt your dog in any way. The mechanics are simple, when a dog pulls (or an owner pulls back to give a correction) the pressure is transferred to a downward pressure on the shoulder blades, moving the pet into a shoulders lowered position. This position is a submissive posture often referred to as a ‘play bow’ as dogs will show this posture to another in submission and as an offer to ‘play’. So when using this tool, you are actually communicating with your pet in a language he naturally speaks!

But as I said, seeing is believing. My mother had a 100lb black lab that took her on walks; you know what I mean. Nice dog, but I was worried. My mom was in her 70’s at the time and lived in central Wisconsin where the show and ice are legendary. I bought mom’s dog a Sporn original halter for Christmas. I put it on the dog and took him for a walk. It took 15 minutes to get to the end of the block. Any time he would start to pull, I would just say ‘Wait’ in a low tone and quit walking. He would pull for a minute, then ease up. The I would say “OK” and start walking again. He would start pulling and I would say “wait” and stop walking. He would pull, then stop, then sit. “Good Boy! OK” over and over again. At first we could barely get 2 steps in. Then 4, then 10. I took him out again later that day and started again. This time we started at 4 and got to walking on a loose leash in about 15 minutes. He was a pretty smart cookie and even started slowing down when I would give the verbal command “Wait”. Then it was Mom’s turn. She could not believe it! Her dog is actually walking on a loose leash with just a verbal reminder occasionally. It was only then she admitted how much it hurt her shoulders to have him tugging at her all the time. Another happy pet family reunited and exercising thanks to the Sporn halter.

Tags: expert | dog | training

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My favorite training tool for my dog, Lola, has been her folding I-Crate by Midewest. When I first brought her home as a puppy, I had not planned on crate training her. However, after doing a little research and talking to some people, I realized it would be a lot easier to train her that way.

Since Lola is a Bulldog, I went ahead and bought her a large size crate, even though she was a puppy. Then I used the divider that comes with the crate to make her living space smaller—I made sure she could get into the crate comfortably and that she had enough room to turn all the way around and then lay down. Giving her such a small space helped make sure she did not have “an accident” in her crate while I was at work or asleep.

Lola stayed in her crate while I was at work and when I was I bed, unless I let her sleep with me. She got used to it very quickly and I think it made the housebreaking process a lot easier than it would have been without it. Now that she is an adult, she thinks that her crate is her personal room and she goes in there all the time just to hang out and be alone. I would recommend anyone with a new dog, puppy or grown-up, get a crate for training.

Chris Adams, CPNA

Tags: dog | answers | experts | training | crate

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Heartworm is a condition in dogs caused by acertain type of parasite transmitted to your pet through mosquitoes. Heartworm is a very dangerous disease. The moment heartworm-transmitting mosquitoes bite your dog the larvae will be transferred into its bloodstream. They will incubate there for several days causing the on-start of the disease. If left ignored, the parasites will eventually cause your pet a lot of harm or even death.

On the other hand, heartworm in dogs can be easily prevented; however, it can be very challenging to treat. Heartworm can be prevented in many ways. There are preventives in the form of injections and oral medicines. The injections are normally given on a monthly basis. Talk to your vet as to how your dog can use these medicines to keep heartworm away from their system.

The disease is called Heartworm because the parasites tend to invade the dog’s heart. The eggs are deposited into the bloodstream and are transported into the rest of the body until they reach the heart. Once the parasites find their way into the right ventricle, they will duplicate in number. Too many of them can cause an extreme hazard to the dog’s heart causing heart failure. What most people do not realize is that these parasites can invade other organs like the liver which causes the liver to shut down.

The initial symptom of heartworm is coughing. As the parasites find their way from the heart into the lungs, it will cause a group of symptoms similar to a pulmonary disease like lung cancer. Chest pain can come along with it. Unlike most parasites, these don’t affect the coat or the fur of your dog. They affect your dog’s internal organs.

Make the choice to have your dog treated for heartworm. It’s easily preventable but difficult to detect and even more difficult to treat. Your dog’s wellbeing may depend on it.

Kevin A., CPNA

Tags: Heartworm | dog | health | trusted advisor | experts

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“And Remember, Please Spay and Neuter Your Pets”

As a kid that grew up watching The Price is Right every time I had the opportunity, the above slogan was wired into my brain at an early age. Granted, as a seven year-old, I had no idea why this particular topic was tagged to the end of each and every one of Bob Barker’s game shows.

Not until later in life did I grow to appreciate just how many animals in my and every other community did not have homes. And not until even later did I understand that the cause was every bit as natural as it was sad. Animals, even our pets, are wired to do very few specific things. Those things include eating and drinking to survive and procreating because, well, that’s what animals do, right? We humans know just as well as our pets of the carnal call of nature and how it certainly may translate to unwanted pregnancies and offspring if preemptive actions are not considered.

My brother was eleven, I think, at the time his four year old beagle was run over by a car. Old enough to understand death but not the birds and the bees, it didn’t make sense to him when my mom told us the reason he left the house was not because he didn’t love being there or didn’t love my brother’s company. She told him and me that all dogs were programmed to quench their innermost desires. We, as owners, could take care of the eating and drinking. They would always look elsewhere for that third, inherent part of their being.

There are many long term health benefits that come from spaying and neutering your pets. The benefit that speaks to me, personally, is removing the primal want to find something in a mate that they could never find at home, thus removing their want to run and potentially fall victim to an unnecessary accident.

Kevin O’Kelley, CPNA

Tags: Spay Neuter Health | trusted advisor

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Pre- and probiotics are gaining in popularity and many pet owners wonder if they should be providing this type of supplement for their dog or cat. Prebiotics are complex carbohydrates called oligosaccharides, which contain up to 9 sugars. Some examples include fructooligosaccharides, lactulose and inulin. Many occur naturally in foods such as bananas, wheat bran and chicory.

Probiotics are live bacteria that should be fed at levels of 1 x 108 to 1 x 1011 colony-forming units per day to achieve beneficial results. Examples of bacterial strains that have been studied in dogs and cats are Lactobacillus species and Enterococcus faecium and Bifidobacteria species, all members of a group called lactic acid bacteria.

Pre- and probiotics are thought to improve an animal’s intestinal tract (gut) in a number of ways, primarily by stmulating or modifying the immune system. The theory behind probiotic supplementation is that if the microbes in the gut have gotten “out of balance” (say, from an episode of diarrhea), then the ‘good bugs’ in a probiotic can help re-establish the balance and bring the gut back to health.

This is the basic idea behind pet owners giving their dog or cat a dollop of yogurt each day on their dry or wet food. However, not all human yogurt products have live cultures of bacteria. In the past few years, several companies have begun marketing probiotic or prebiotic supplements for dogs and cats. Some have conducted testing in the laboratory setting or in animals, but others have not. A few key questions to consider include:

1. How can consumers know that a product has a specific concentration of live bacteria?
2. How can a probiotic with only one type of bacteria provide any benefits?
3. Does the manufacture have any evidence that their product works better than doing nothing at all, or than using some other treatment?
4. What’s the long term effect of feeding a pre- or probiotic?

An additional complicating factor when considering the use of supplements is the lack of regulation of label claims and quality control. Pre- and probiotics are not classified as a drug by the FDA and, therefore, are subject to fewer regulations regarding labeling. A study conducted in 2002 that compared label claims to actual content of a variety of veterinary and human probiotics showed a significant difference between what was listed on the label and what was actually in the product.

If your dog or cat has loose stools or diarrhea, talk to your veterinarian about the use of a pre- or probiotic. Most vets have experience helping owners evaluate dietary supplements. Be sure to think about and discuss outcomes: how long should the dietary trial last before you conclude that supplementing your pet with a probiotic was a success (or a failure)? What do you hope to achieve for your pet? What will you measure? How will you keep track?

If your dog or cat does not have loose stool or diarrhea, using a probiotic to prevent it from happening is debatable.

Dr. Sarah Abood, DVM, PhD (click for bio)

Tags: health | supplements | prebiotic | probiotic | diet

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Many people think that it is not important to spay/neuter their pets because “their pets are indoor pets”.  However, it is natural instinct for an animal to sense out “a mate”. It only takes one time for your pet to escape, find and breed with another animal.

Spaying and neutering your pets will prevent problems like these. You will not have to worry about confining your pet when it is “in heat” to keep other animals away. Or in some cases go several days with your pet missing because it is off with an animal in heat. In most cases, dogs/cats become pregnant unexpectedly and the owner is not prepared for it. These puppies/kittens usually end up in the pound or are left homeless to fend for themselves. Spaying and neutering once again can cut back on the amount of homeless pound puppies/kittens.

It is also beneficial to the pet's health. It reduces the chance of your pet receiving certain types of cancers and helps them live longer, healthier lives. It reduces their urge to roam away from home which can lead to contracting disease or getting hit by a car.

Tony, CPNA

Tags: Spay Neuter Health

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Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the most important things a pet parent can do for their cat or dog. Every year, according to the ASPCA, between five and seven MILLION companion animals get put into shelters—between three and four million of them are put to death simply because homes cannot be found for them. Seventy per cent of cats brought onto shelters are put to sleep; this is completely unacceptable and could be rectified by owners being more responsible. Irresponsible pet owners who do not have their cats and dogs “fixed” are almost entirely to blame for these deaths. I think many people enjoy the thought of their pet having a litter of puppies or kittens for the fun factor, without ever thinking about how they will find homes for those animals once they’re born. As the Humane Society of the United States says on their web page: Stopping pet overpopulation starts with you!

Kristin Brown

CPNA

Tags: spay | neuter | overpopulation | Humane Society

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In my opinion spay/neuter is very important! Not only to help reduce the unbelievable numbers of unwanted pets that are euthanized but spaying/neutering can also help keep a pet healthier. It also helps with some behavioral problems. As for me personally, I have always been an advocate of spaying and neutering our pets. I know that if we did not and had a litter, they would still be with us. In other words, no one would be good enough to take care of our babies! If we kept the babies, then we would not be able to provide a home for the others that needed us. Hope this makes sense.

Andy McKee

CPNA

Tags: spay | neuter

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I have three cats of varying temperaments and I am not about to stick my finger into any of their mouths under any circumstances. For this reason, I am very fond of a product by Ark Naturals called “Breath-Less Plaque Zapper”. It is an effervescent powder that you add to your pets’ water twice a day for about a month, and then once a day after that. It helps with bad breath as well as fighting plaque and keeping the teeth clean. I’ve been using it for a year on all of my cats and it has so far been very effective at keeping the vet happy at the state of everyone’s teeth as well as keeping my hands and fingers intact.

It’s important to remember that cats can suffer from many of the same dental health problems as humans, such as gingivitis. They can also contract stomatisis (a painful inflammatory disease) if their dental health needs are not met. The worst part about potential oral illnesses in cats is that bacteria from the mouth can, in serious cases, enter the animal’s blood stream and cause severe problems. That being said, I’m still not sticking my hand in there—so, it’s Feline Greenies and Plaque-Zapper for me.

Kristin Brown, 8015

CPNA

Tags: Dental Health | Plaque Zapper | Ark Naturals | Greenies | plaque

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Keeping your pet's teeth clean and healthy is just as important as your own dental hygeine. In fact, it is recommended to brush your pet's teeth at least twice a week. My dogs tend to hate having me "play" in their mouth in order to keep up their dental hygeine. However, they need their teeth, so it is something that has to be done!

I always make sure that I use toothpaste that is especially for animals. Using human toothpaste can cause their stomach to get upset because it is not meant to be swallowed. We all know that dogs drool and don't spit, so for my girls' happiness I always use the dog toothpaste that we sell at Pet Supplies "Plus". In order to cut back on the worry of, "Am I brushing them well enough or often enough," I have also found other products.

We sell a product at Pet Supplies "Plus", made by Ark Naturals, that is called "Breathless Plaque Zapper". This is a product that you put in your pet's water (dog or cat) that your pet usually doesn't even notice is there. It has natural enzymes in it that are activated by your pet's mouth saliva to help break down bacteria. This helps to stop plaque from sticking to their teeth which can cut back on brush time. This tends to usually make for a happier pet and owner! Also, feeding dry kibble food and providing chew toys/ treats also helps my dogs keep their teeth clean and healthy without the annoance of me "playing" in their mouth with a toothbrush.

Bethany Koon

CPNA

Tags: Dental Health | toothpaste | Ark Naturals | Plaque Zapper

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Ark Naturals offers a product called Breathless Plaque Zapper that offers an easy way to maintain a pet’s dental health. It is easy because you just add it to the pet’s fresh water. It can be used for dogs and cats. It is a convenient product for cat owners whose pet doesn’t drink from a bowl because you can put it on the cat’s wet food. The recommended usage for dental maintenance is 1 packet three times a week. You can also use it therapeutically by increasing the dosage to 2 times daily for 4-6 weeks. Results can be expected within 4-6 weeks of continual use. Pet owners can use it alone or in combination with brushing and dental treats. The Ark Naturals products are made with natural ingredients which can appeal to the owner who is feeding a holistic, organic, or raw diet to their pet.

Michelle

CPNA

Tags: Dental Health | Plaque Zapper | Ark Naturals

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Have you ever looked at the teeth in the back of your dog’s mouth? That hard brown material is dental tartar which contains bacteria that can threaten your dog’s health. I would like to take a moment and talk about an alternative strategy to brushing. The strategy I am referring to is a natural diet.

Think about animals in the wild; they chew raw meat and bones. They do not have a toothbrush and chicken flavored toothpaste. If you are feeding your dog a natural diet then your pet is not eating grains. This is important is because high grain diets convert easily to sugar which promotes the production of plaque and tartar. The result is an environment where unhealthy bacteria can flourish. These bacteria can attack the tooth root causing pain and infection. The germs can also gain access to the bloodstream spreading infection to the organs.

Raw diets generally are made up of more complex carbohydrates which break down more slowly. This means that they start breaking down in the stomach and digestive tract, not in the saliva of the mouth. This deprives the bad bacteria of plaque and tartar where they thrive. Raw bones also help with your dog’s health and dental hygiene. Raw bones are softer and less brittle than cooked bones. This allows abrasive chewing but is much easier for your pet to consume and digest than cooked bones. Raw bones do not have the sugar carbohydrates that start to break down in the saliva. Raw bones do have calcium and minerals that are essential to your dog’s overall health.

Natural diets will help your dog’s teeth stay naturally clean. They will not repair existing damage and I still recommend that a dog’s teeth be professionally cleaned as part of their healthcare program. I believe a natural diet will help your dog to have healthy teeth and gums for the length of their life

Kevin A.

CPNA

Tags: Dental Health | natural diet | raw | bones | plaque | tartar

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